Thursday, June 28, 2007

What a homestand, folks!! 8-1! As I stated last post, it's all about beating the teams you're suppose to. The Brewers did just that. Now the Crew is 14 games over .500 and heads to Chicago with some momentum.

This next 10 game road trip will be a true barometer for the young Brewers. Three games in Chicago with a Cubs team that has won 5 straight will not be easy. Hopefully Gallardo will pitch as well as he pitched in his first two starts and gives the Crew a good chance on Friday.

After the Brew leave Wrigley Field, they head to Pittsburgh for a four game set. It's never easy at PNC for the Crew. It would sure be nice to get a split.

The Crew's last series before the All-Star break in Washington will be a challenge, with the Nationals playing decent ball as of late.

Let's hope the Brewers stay hot with the bats and continue to get some solid pitching. In my opinion, a 5-5 road trip would be great. To get to the break 14 games over .500 would be quite the accomplishment for the Brew.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Beat the teams you are suppose to beat! That's what the Brewers have been doing on this homestand. With a 6-1 victory last night against a beleagured Houston Astros team, the Brewers improved to 6-1 on this 9 game home stretch.

It sure would be nice to see the Brew get at least one out of these last two against Houston before heading out for a critical 9 game road trip before the All-Star break.

Ben Sheets pitched another solid game, improving to 9-3 on the year. Villanueva, Turnbow and Spurling did their jobs and shut the door on the struggling Astros.

It was nice to see Hardy back in the lineup. J.J. cranked his 18th homer of the year and Fielder hit his 27th round tripper with a bomb to centerfield.

After Wednesday's matinee, the Crew does not have a home game until 7/13 against Colorado. Get out to Miller Park Tuesday night and/or tomorrow and cheer on the Crew!!

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Wow! What a difference two weeks can make in baseball. After losing eight out of nine series' upon completing another losing series in Texas, The Crew has rattled off three straight winning series.

Just when it looked like the Brew was about to drop another series loss in Detroit after Justin Verlander's no hit gem, the Brewers have gone on to win six out of its last seven games. Most recently, taking all three against the reeling Giants.

The Brewers are doing it with timely hitting and some good starting pitching. Finally, the Crew is getting hits with runners in scoring position. Prior to these last three series', it seemed like it had been a month since the Brew got a hit with runners in scoring positon. Corey Hart has been awesome at the leadoff spot. He's hitting with power, stealing bases and scoring runs. Prince Fielder has been putting up "sick" power numbers and Billy Hall is heating up. Weeks has done a nice job at the bottom of the order since his return.

Ben Sheets has been pitching very well the last month. His short work ( two hours) of the Giants this past Tuesday was a thing of beauty. Gallardo looked real solid in his deput last Monday. He was cool, calm and collected. Turnbow has pitched solidly and Villanueva, his last outing not withstanding, has been good. Capellan has been good of late. It will get real interesting if and/or when Suppan and Capuano get back on track.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Make no mistake about it, Justin Verlander is a terrific young pitcher with nasty stuff. His performance last night against the Milwaukee Brewers was one for the history books. 100 M.p.h. fastballs into the 9th inning and a steady diet of 12-6 curveballs throughout the game completely baffled the Crew all night.

I think Verlander would have shut down any ball club with that kind of stuff. That being said, where did Ned Yost come up with last night's lineup? I'm thinking he just threw some names into a hat and had Sal Bando pick them out. Why would you have Craig Cousell lead off? Why would you move Hart down to fifth and Billy Hall down to eighth? I just don't get it!!

Counsell is a solid #8 hitter. He bunts well, can move runners over and doesn't strike out much. That's what you want out of your number eight hitter. When you move him from #8 to lead off hitter you not only weaken the bottom of the lineup, you also lose a lot when the lineup turns over. It's like your penalizing the team when you get back to the lead off spot.

With Rickie weeks out, why not stay with Corey Hart at the #1 spot? He's got some pop and has good speed.

Lastly, why is Billy Hall batting eighth? Last night Billy had three walks and he did what a #8 hitter is supposed to do. Personally, I don't think you want Hall batting eighth. The Crew needs some run production out of the # 5 slot. The Brewers signed Hall to an extension and he was their MVP last year. I say put him at # 5 for the next couple of weeks and see what happens.

Obviously, the Brewers are struggling. The Brewers are, though, still 5 1/2 games up in the NL central. I hope Ned doesn't push the panic button. There's no reason to have Cousell lead off. It's the 5-7 slots in the lineup that Ned needs to concentrate on.

Friday, June 8, 2007

The Milwaukee Brewers open a very important nine game road trip in Texas tonight against The Rangers. As far as I'm concerned Crew fans, this nine game stretch will be a true indicator of what kind of ball club we've all been cheering for this season.

The Texas Rangers have been horrible this year. Texas is a team that the Brewers have to beat if they want to be considered a contender for the division. The Brew needs to take two out of three in Arlington.

The Detroit Tigers are a quality ball club. Taking two out of three in Detroit will be a tall task.

It's always a battle at the dome in Minneapolis. Again, winning two out of three will be difficult.

5-4 on this trip is what I want to see. Anything better is complete gravy. With the way the Crew has been playing, 5-4 is probably a stretch.

If the Brew can score some early runs consistantly, like they did their first 35 games, I think they have a pretty good chance of having a decent road trip. If not........... don't expect much.

C'mon Brewers, let's see a solid trip!

Cheer on the Crew, people! We'll see ya at Miller Park for the Giants series on 6/18.